Acquiring Alternative Fuel Vehicles for Standard Compliance

Through Standard Compliance, state and alternative fuel provider fleets that are covered fleets may meet their Energy Policy Act (EPAct) requirements each year by acquiring alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) as a percentage of their light-duty, non-excluded vehicle acquisitions. Fleets may also convert conventional vehicles to run on alternative fuel within 4 months of acquiring the vehicles.

Used Vehicles

Acquiring used AFVs may be a cost-effective way to meet requirements. Used AFVs count as new acquisitions if they are new to the covered fleet that acquires them.

You can connect with other fleets to buy or sell used AFVs by posting on the used AFV bulletin board. You can also search for light-duty AFVs on the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC). Note that some vehicles listed in the AFDC database may not qualify as AFVs under the EPAct State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleet Program. Contact the program with questions about eligible vehicles.

Credits for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Covered fleets can earn AFV credits by acquiring non-AFV electric vehicles or investing in alternative fuel infrastructure, alternative fuel non-road equipment, or emerging technology. They also can earn one credit for each qualified light-, medium-, and heavy-duty AFV they acquire annually beyond their requirement for light-duty AFV acquisitions. Many fleets acquire more AFVs (and other creditable vehicles) than required in a single model year. Fleets may bank excess credits earned through these means for future use or sell them to other fleets.

Fleets that do not meet their AFV-acquisition requirement and do not have enough banked credits to meet their requirements are considered noncompliant. Fleets may resolve credit deficiencies by buying credits from fleets with banked credits.